Phil Foden was sent off for a kick on Bruno Fernandes during Man City's win over Man United in the Manchester derby
Phil Foden of Manchester City and Bruno Fernandes of Manchester Utd
Phil Foden was sent off during the Manchester derby(Image: Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Wayne Rooney is in agreement with Danny Murphy over what they believe should have been the outcome for Phil Foden’s red card in the Manchester derby. Foden was sent off for an attempted kick on Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, with Michael Oliver giving the marching orders to the Manchester City playmaker.
City claimed a dramatic victory over United in the Premier League clash on Sunday, with Erling Haaland scoring the decisive goal of the match.
Foden was sent off in the first half at Old Trafford, meaning City had to play the majority of the Manchester derby with 10 men.
Fernandes, meanwhile, was not punished despite appearing to kick Foden himself as he tried to win back possession, which happened moments before the City playmaker was sent off.
Rooney and Murphy appeared on Match of the Day where the topic of Foden’s red card was discussed, and the former Liverpool star believes that a yellow card for both Foden and Fernandes would have been the most sensible outcome.
"I don't think they both should have [been sent off]," Murphy said. "Look, we could talk all day about this. Nobody would have batted an eyelid if they both got a yellow and a telling off for silly petulance and little stupid kick-outs.
"They're not dangerous, I don't think.
"When you slow it down, you see the original foul from Fernandes. He gives him a little nudge with his foot while he's on the floor but Foden's foot is high and above the waist, which I think then gives the referee the idea to give him the red because it seems more dangerous.
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"I don't think in this day and age you should be taking that risk, what is he thinking? Why has he done that?"
Rooney was in agreement with Murphy, explaining why he thinks Foden should not have been sent off, and that the City midfielder and Fernandes should have been booked.
"I can see why they give the red card, but I just think as a football fan you don't want to see a red card for that," Rooney said.
"You look at it there and think he hasn't kicked him with any force, he's almost just brushed him with the side of his leg, he hasn't gone in with the studs where he's really going to hurt him.
"I think the sensible decision is two yellows."
Murphy went on to label the decision from Foden to react to Fernandes as "stupid", but still believed the challenge was not worth of being a red card.
"It wasn't ferocious, there wasn't speed to it, it was the side of his leg," Murphy added.
"I just think now with the cameras, with the VAR and the refs initiative to cut that type of thing out - you are rolling a dice if you do it, and he's [Foden] been stupid."